Device for treating the hair and associated refill

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a refill for an appliance for treating the hair, comprising: —a reservoir ( 23 ) containing a haircare product, —an end piece for dispensing the product contained in the reservoir ( 23 ), —at least one component of a flap-valve pump that supplies the dispensing end piece with product contained in the reservoir ( 23 ).

The present invention relates to devices for treating the hair, and more particularly, but not exclusively, those intended for shaping the hair, in particular for straightening, curling or crimping the hair, comprising a refill of cosmetic product.

Usually, hair straighteners consist of two arms that are connected together with the aid of a hinge which makes it possible to open and close said arms, and of at least one heating element disposed on the arms. During operations of styling a lock of hair, said lock is introduced between the two arms in the open position and then the two arms are closed manually over the lock of hair. The lock of hair is then subjected, until the two arms are opened and the lock of hair is removed, to the heat output by the heating element.

The application WO 2009/078046 describes a hairstyling appliance comprising two arms that are connected together so as to allow the appliance to be opened and closed, at least one heating member and at least one seat for accommodating a hair treatment device, the hair treatment device allowing a haircare product to be dispensed during operation. The hair treatment device is composed of a support material impregnated with a haircare product and suitable for a single use.

WO 2009/015027 and US 2009/0025247 disclose a hair straightening device that makes it possible to apply a haircare product by contact with the hair. The haircare product to be applied is contained in a removable refill for the application thereof. The removable refill comprises a reservoir containing the haircare product in a gelled form, and orifices for dispensing and applying the product, said orifices being made directly through a wall of the reservoir. The refill is introduced into a housing disposed on one of the two arms of the hair straightener, by sliding.

There is a need to further improve devices for applying a haircare product such that the user can easily refill the device with haircare product and/or change the haircare product to be applied.

There is also an advantage in having a sufficient quantity of haircare product to apply without changing the refill so as to make it possible not only to style thicker hair but also to reuse a single refill a number of times.

SUMMARY

According to a first of its aspects, a subject of the invention is a refill for an appliance for treating the hair, comprising:

-   -   a reservoir containing a haircare product,     -   a dispensing end piece for dispensing the product contained in         the reservoir,     -   at least one component of a flap-valve pump that supplies the         dispensing end piece with product contained in the reservoir.

The reservoir in the refill makes it possible to have a quantity of haircare product that is sufficient for dispensing a plurality of doses of product.

The fact that the refill comprises at least one component of the flap-valve pump makes it easier to change the reservoir by reducing the number of connections to be ensured, it being possible for this number to be advantageously reduced to zero when the refill carries all the components of the flap-valve pump.

The use of a flap-valve pump facilitates the actuation of this pump, since a single push on a component of the pump that varies the volume of the pumping chamber may suffice to dispense a dose of product. Thus, a more complex mechanism, for example a peristaltic pump mechanism, can be avoided.

The refill can be handled in one piece. Thus, when the refill is installed in the device which will use it, the reservoir, the dispensing end piece and said at least one component of the flap-valve pump are introduced together into the device.

Preferably, the refill extends along a longitudinal axis, said at least one component being located along said longitudinal axis between the reservoir and the dispensing end piece. This can facilitate the actuation thereof. Preferably, this component directly connects the reservoir to the dispensing end piece.

Preferably, the internal volume of the reservoir varies while the refill is being used. This can allow airless operation, which is favourable for better preservation of the product.

The maximum capacity of the reservoir is preferably between 2 ml and 20 ml.

The haircare product is preferably in the fluid state in the reservoir, that is to say liquid, at room temperature or a higher temperature, between 25 and 95° C. for example. In this case, the product can initially be in the solid or pasty state at room temperature in the reservoir and be heated up within the reservoir in order to make it sufficiently fluid to be dispensed by a dispensing mechanism provided to supply the applicator member. The product is thus fluid in the reservoir at the time of application. Preferably, the product is liquid at room temperature.

When the product is initially solid in the refill and heated in order to be fluidized, the region around the applicator member is preferably non-heating so as to more easily control the temperature of the product.

The reservoir preferably extends along a longitudinal axis and the length of the reservoir is preferably less than or equal to half the total length of the refill, measured along said longitudinal axis. This makes it easier to handle the refill. This can also simplify the construction thereof by disposing the reservoir, said flap-valve pump component and the dispensing end piece end to end.

The dispensing end piece and the reservoir preferably have respective longitudinal axes that are not coincident, and in particular are parallel and offset by a distance of between 10 mm and 40 mm. This can make it easier to produce the refill and the device intended to receive it.

The flap-valve pump, in particular the component of the flap-valve pump, preferably has a pumping chamber and an elastically deformable diaphragm at least partially delimiting the pumping chamber. The flap-valve pump may be of the airless type. The flap-valve pump may comprise an end piece for connecting to the reservoir and an end piece for connecting to the dispensing end piece, in particular an end piece intended to be inserted into the flexible duct of the dispensing end piece. Preferably, the flap-valve pump forms a rigid assembly, apart from the diaphragm.

The refill may comprise the pumping chamber, the diaphragm and the end pieces for connecting to the reservoir and to the dispensing end piece. In this case, it is enough for the device which receives the refill to be designed to exert a force on the diaphragm in order to deform it and to vary the volume of the pumping chamber. This force can be exerted when the device is closed on the hair.

The dispensing end piece is preferably pre-filled with the haircare product. This can avoid the need to actuate the pump a number of times before the refill is used for the first time. The pumping chamber is also pre-filled with the product.

In a variant, the dispensing end piece can be filled at least partially, and better still entirely, with product while the refill is being introduced into the appliance, in particular when the internal volume of the reservoir decreases when the refill is fitted in the appliance. In this case, the flap-valve pump can allow the product to flow from the reservoir towards the dispensing end piece, the valves opening under the pressure of the product contained in the reservoir.

The dispensing end piece may have at least one dispensing orifice, better still a plurality of dispensing orifices, which are in particular closed at rest and can open under the pressure exerted by the haircare product. The dispensing orifice(s) is/are preferably made through a wall, which is in particular deformable, preferably a wall defined by a flexible duct, the flexible duct being, in particular, connected to the pumping chamber at one of its ends, in particular by the abovementioned connecting end piece of the flap-valve pump. The or each dispensing orifice may be formed by a slot having edges that are joined at rest.

The volume of haircare product delivered at the dispensing end piece on each actuation of the flap-valve pump may be between 0.01 ml and 0.5 ml.

The refill preferably has an inlet valve disposed upstream of the pumping chamber, in particular on the end piece for connecting to the reservoir, the inlet valve opening in the direction of flow from the reservoir to the pumping chamber. The refill preferably has an outlet valve disposed downstream of the pumping chamber, the outlet valve opening in the direction of flow from the pumping chamber to the dispensing end piece. If appropriate, the abovementioned dispensing orifice(s) may form the outlet valve, when they are made through an elastically deformable wall. This is particularly advantageous, since the dispensing orifices then have a double function, namely that of dispensing the product and acting as an outlet valve. This makes it easier to manufacture the flap-valve pump, since it makes it possible to avoid the use of a specific valve between the pumping chamber and the dispensing end piece. In a variant, the outlet valve may be disposed in the end piece for connecting to the dispensing end piece.

The flap-valve pump is preferably formed by a single part including the pumping chamber and at least one of the inlet and outlet valves. This single part may be produced by moulding material.

The refill preferably comprises an applicator member that is supplied with product by the dispensing end piece. The applicator member preferably at least partially covers the dispensing end piece. The applicator member may comprise a porous material and/or a material that is able to release or diffuse the cosmetic product, in particular an open-cell foam. If desired, the applicator member may be produced with a relatively small thickness, for example less than or equal to 10 mm.

The refill may comprise a support carrying the dispensing end piece and/or the flap-valve pump and/or the reservoir, better still carrying the dispensing end piece, the flap-valve pump and the reservoir. In a variant, the support may carry the dispensing end piece and be fastened to the flap-valve pump by way of the end piece for connecting said pump to the dispensing end piece, the flap-valve pump itself being fastened to the reservoir by the end piece for connecting said pump to the reservoir.

Preferably, the refill forms a one-piece part that is easy to handle.

The applicator member may be mounted in a fixed or removable manner on the support, at least partially covering the dispensing end piece. The support may have at least one opening that is superposed at least partially on the dispensing end piece and allows the product to pass from the dispensing end piece to the applicator member. Preferably, the applicator member comes into contact with the dispensing end piece.

The dispensing end piece is preferably made so as to be filled with product when the pump is actuated by increasing in volume by elastic deformation under the pressure of the product. Thus, product can collect in the dispensing end piece in order to be dispensed once the filling action has stopped. This makes it possible to supply the applicator member in a delayed manner, to avoid the need to collect a large amount of product within the applicator member itself, and thus to reduce losses of product during the changing thereof. This assumes that the volume of the pumping chamber does not increase again until all the product collected by elastic deformation of the end piece has been dispensed, this normally being the case when the pump is actuated by the closure of the device on the hair for the duration of the treatment of a lock. If a non-return valve is present between the dispensing end piece and the pumping chamber, the device can be opened before all of the product collected by elastic deformation of the dispensing end piece has been dispensed.

The refill may comprise a member for closing it when not in use, in particular a membrane seal or cover intended to at least partially cover the applicator member. This closure member may be supplied to the user by being initially fitted on the refill and removed by the user when the refill is fitted on the device and/or used.

A further subject of the invention is a device for treating the hair, comprising:

-   -   at least two arms that are able to move relative to one another         between a moved-together configuration for treating the hair and         a spaced-apart configuration for inserting hair to be treated         between said arms,     -   a refill according to the invention, the refill being carried by         at least one of the arms.

The use of a refill allows the user to be able to apply different haircare products easily by simply changing the refill.

The two arms extend along respective longitudinal axes and are preferably connected by a hinge present at their proximal end, this hinge defining a rotation axis that is oriented preferably perpendicularly to a plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the arms.

The two arms may define half-handles that are extended towards their distal end by jaws.

The maximum thickness of the arms, measured at the jaws, is preferably greater than that measured at the half-handles; the maximum thickness of each arm is preferably between 10 and 40 mm, better still between 17 mm and 32 mm.

The moving together of the arms preferably actuates the flap-valve pump in order to supply the dispensing end piece with product.

The refill may be received in a housing for incorporating it into the arm.

The arm opposite the one that carries the refill may have a relief which, in the moved-together configuration of the arms, actuates the flap-valve pump. This relief preferably projects to a degree that is adjustable by the user depending on the dose to be dispensed.

The refill may have at least one extension that leads to the outside of the arm, preferably a lateral extension that juts out from or is flush with the side of the arm, in particular on the side opposite the articulation of the flap on the arm, allowing a user to see that the refill is present on the arm.

The device may have an electrical switch on the same arm as the refill, said switch being actuated by the refill, making it possible in particular to detect the presence of the refill on the arm.

The applicator member is disposed so as to come into contact with the hair when the arms are closed. The arm opposite the one that carries the refill may define a counter-bearing surface such that the hair is pressed against the applicator member with a certain pressure by the counter-bearing surface.

Preferably, the device is produced such that the applicator member is supplied automatically with product while the device is being used. Thus, the user does not have to worry about exerting a particular action on the device in order to apply the product. The closure of the arms can actuate the pump, which makes it possible to supply the applicator member with product, in particular with a dose of product. A dose of product is preferably between 0.015 ml and 0.5 ml.

The applicator member is preferably supplied with product with provisional collection of product under pressure by the dispensing end piece. The presence of the product under pressure within the dispensing end piece, once the jaws have been moved together, makes it possible to continue supplying the applicator member with product while the device is moved along a lock of hair with the jaws moved together.

The arm opposite the one that carries the refill may have a steam outlet, and preferably also a comb. It may prove advantageous to use two combs, located respectively downstream and upstream of the region for applying the cosmetic product, so as to promote the homogeneous distribution of the product on the hair.

These combs are advantageously parallel to one another and may have the same number of teeth.

If appropriate, the device is produced so as to allow at least one of the combs, better still each comb, to be fastened in a removable manner.

Preferably, in particular when the hair is intended to be straightened, the device comprises a heating element intended to come into contact with the hair, and better still two heating elements, each disposed on an arm. This or these heating element(s) may each comprise a plate, made of a material that is a good conductor of heat, that defines a hot surface for bringing into contact with the hair, the temperature of said surface being for example greater than or equal to 95° C., better still between 90 and 230° C.

Preferably, product is applied to the lock of hair introduced into the device prior to the application of steam and/or combing and/or straightening by the heating element(s). Thus, the hair introduced between the arms can come into contact with the applicator member before being exposed to the steam and to the heating elements while the lock is being moved between the arms of the device.

The device for treating the hair according to the invention may be a straightener having flat heating elements, in particular which come into contact in the closed position.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an example of a device for treating the hair produced in accordance with the invention, with the refill shown above the arm which will receive it,

FIG. 2 shows the device from FIG. 1, the refill being in position on the flap,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the device from FIG. 2 after the flap has been closed,

FIG. 4 shows an example of a refill that can be used with the device in FIG. 1, on its own,

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the refill from FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the refill from FIG. 4,

FIG. 7A shows a top view of an example of a dispensing end piece, on its own,

FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 7A of a variant end piece,

FIG. 8 schematically shows a perspective view of a variant device according to the invention,

FIG. 9 shows the device from FIG. 8 before the refill is fitted,

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention, illustrating the arrangement of various components thereof, and

FIGS. 11 and 12 show variant dispensing end pieces on their own.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show the handpiece 2 of an example of a device for treating the hair according to the invention.

This handpiece 2 has two jaws 3 and 4 that are able to move with respect to one another between a spaced-apart configuration (not shown) for the introduction between said jaws of a lock of hair, and a moved-together configuration for treatment.

The jaws 3 and 4 are carried by an upper arm 5 and a lower arm 6, respectively, which, in the example in question, are connected together at one end by an articulation 8, the handpiece 2 thus forming tongs.

The upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 each preferably have a total length of between 22 cm and 31 cm and define, between the articulation 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective half-handles 10 and 11 on which the user can press in order to move the jaws 3 and 4 together.

The upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 extend along respective longitudinal axes X₁ which are preferably parallel to one another when the jaws 3 and 4 are closed.

An elastic return member (not visible) is preferably provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 to a spaced-apart configuration, this elastic return member being for example a spring disposed around an articulation pin 8.

The invention is not limited to a particular manner of connecting the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 together and the jaws 3 and 4 may be rendered able to move in some other way without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the presence of an articulation is largely preferred for the ergonomics it provides.

The jaws 3 and 4 define between one another a region for treating the hair, said region being intended to receive a lock of hair to be treated, the handpiece 2 being moved along said lock during the treatment, for example in the direction from the root to the end of the hair.

In the example in question, the handpiece 2 is configured to apply a cosmetic product, to treat the hair by way of steam and to carry out a heat treatment of the hair by contact with one or more hot surfaces.

The direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 over the hair, illustrated in FIG. 3, is preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes X₁ and X₂ of the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6.

The handpiece 2 is connected by a line, in the example in question, to a base station (not shown) that is fixed during the treatment and is connected to the mains.

This base station ensures the electric power supply to the handpiece 2 and also its supply with water in order to generate steam, and may also carry out additional functions of processing electrical signals received from the handpiece 2. The line 13 which connects the handpiece 2 to the base station can thus comprise various electrical conductors and a water supply pipe.

A user interface (not shown in the figures) can be present on the handpiece 2 so as to allow the user for example to start up certain components thereof, or not.

The application of the cosmetic product is ensured by an applicator member 15 disposed so as to come into contact with the hair extending through the treatment region.

The applicator member 15 is supplied with product by a dispensing end piece, described below, with the aid of a dispensing mechanism which is actuated automatically during the use of the handpiece 2, for example in order to apply a quantity of product to the hair, such that a mass of one gram of hair made up of hair with a length of 20 cm receives between 0.015 and 0.4 g, better still between 0.01 and 0.2 g of product in the case of a care product, or even more in the case of thermal straightening, dyeing or chemical straightening products, the quantity received then being for example between 0.5 and 10 g.

The upper arm 5 may comprise, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a pivoting flap 18 which can take up the open configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, allowing a refill 20 according to the invention to be fitted and to be removed once the product has been used up, and a closed configuration, shown in FIG. 3, for using the device to treat the hair.

The refill 20 comprises a reservoir 23 containing the product to be applied and a head 25 comprising the applicator member 15.

The flap 18 is for example articulated by way of a hinge 28, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to the proximal part of the arm 5 which acts as a half-handle 10 while the handpiece 2 is being used.

In the example illustrated, the proximal part 18 a of the flap 18 also defines a gripping surface of the half-handle 10.

The flap 18 can be articulated so as to open towards the rear when the device is viewed as in FIG. 1. This can make it easier to produce the hinge 28 and construct the device so as to provide access that is as open as possible to the user to allow him to fit or replace the refill 20.

The angular travel a of the flap 18 is advantageously at least 90° so as to make it easier to introduce the refill 20 into the handpiece 2 during the fitting or replacement thereof.

The closing or opening movement of the flap 18 may, if appropriate, be assisted by an elastic return member, for example a helical spring or leaf spring disposed in the region of the hinge 28. This return member can urge the flap 18 towards its open position, collecting elastic potential energy when the flap 18 is closed. The use of such a return member, the opening of which is assisted, is particularly advantageous when the device is also equipped with a member for locking the flap 18 in the closed position. In this case, when the user acts on this locking member in order to unlock this flap 18, the flap 18 can be opened automatically, advantageously as far as its completely open position or, in a variant, over only a part of the opening travel.

It is possible to provide the flap 18 with a movement retarder when the hinge 28 is equipped with an elastic return member which tends to urge the flap 18 towards the open or closed position.

The flap 18 can be held in the closed position on the upper arm 5 in various ways, and preferably with snap-fastening of at least one relief carried by the flap 18 onto a corresponding form carried by the base of the arm 5. For example, as illustrated, the flap 18 carries at least one elastically deformable tab 31 which can be snap-fastened onto a corresponding coupling relief 32 provided on the base of the arm 5. If appropriate, a means for locking/unlocking by the user is provided to keep the flap 18 in the closed position. In this case, the user has to exert an action on this unlocking means before opening the flap 18. This can reduce the risk of the flap 18 opening accidentally if the handpiece 2 is dropped, for example.

The flap 18 may have any suitable form for at least partially covering the refill 20 once the latter is fitted in the device, in particular when the head 25 and the reservoir 23 are not aligned.

The flap 18 may have a configuration in which the distal part 18 b of the flap 18, said distal part 18 b being located in the region of the jaw 3, is offset upwards with respect to the proximal part 18 a of the flap 18 which serves to articulate it on the base of the upper arm 5, when the flap 18 is viewed in a position which is open more or less at 90°, as can be seen in FIG. 1, to the articulation pin of the horizontal arms. The flap 18 can thus comprise an intermediate portion 18 c which extends generally obliquely upwards and towards the front.

In a variant, the flap 18 may be coupled in some other way to the base of the arm 5 and for example be articulated by way of its distal part 18 b in the region of the jaw 3.

In the example in FIGS. 1 to 3, the refill 20 is fastened to the flap 18, which is folded down into its closed position in order to bring the refill 20 into its use configuration on the handpiece 2.

In a variant, the refill 20 may be carried by the arm 5, the flap 18 covering the refill 20 in the closed position.

The flap 18 may comprise reliefs 80 which allow the refill 20 to be fastened thereto while the flap 18 is in the open position.

The flap 18 may be made of an opaque material with at least one transparent window (not illustrated) that allows the user to see that the refill 20 is present and/or to see the level of product in the reservoir 23 if the refill 20 is provided for this purpose.

The housing 33 may comprise at least one opening 36 facing the lower arm 6 so as to allow the haircare product contained in the reservoir 23 to be applied to a lock of hair. This opening 36 receives at least the applicator member 15, better still the refill 20, during the introduction of the refill 20 into the housing 33, and has a corresponding elongate shape.

The refill 20 may have various configurations and for example, as illustrated, the reservoir 23 may be located on the proximal side of the handpiece 2, in particular in the region of the half-handle 10, and the head 25 may be positioned in the region of the jaw 3.

It is advantageous for the reservoir 23 to be housed in the half-handle 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, so as in particular to make it possible to reduce the inertia of the handpiece 2 as the articulation pin 8 of the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 approaches the centre of mass of the mass of product contained in the reservoir 23. Less inertia makes the handpiece easier to handle and less tiring for the user to carry.

The handpiece 2 may be designed to automatically detect the presence of the refill 20 in its housing 33.

This detection may be carried out for example electronically, by virtue of a contactor actuated by the refill 20 when the latter is fitted on the handpiece 2. This contactor is for example carried by the base of the upper arm 5 and actuated by the reservoir 23. In a variant, the presence of the refill 20 on the base of the upper arm 5 may be detected by virtue of the flap 18, for example on account of the presence on the flap 18 of a contactor, the state of which changes depending on whether the refill 20 is present or not.

The closure of the flap 18 may itself be detected automatically such that, for example, the operation of the handpiece 2 is only allowed once it has been verified that the flap 18 is in the closed position.

When the flap 18 is in the closed position, communication may remain between the inside of the housing 33 that receives the refill 20 and the outside, allowing the user to see that the refill 20 is present on the device. In particular, the refill 20 may, as illustrated in FIG. 3, remain visible after the flap 18 has been closed.

The refill 20 may optionally be produced so as to have an extension which remains visible from the outside of the device once the flap 18 has been closed, the user being able to know, by seeing this extension, that the refill is present in the device without opening the flap 18.

The flap 18 may carry a member (not shown) for closing off the applicator member 15 when the handpiece 2 is not in use, making it possible in particular to use the latter without product being applied.

An example of a refill 20 that can be used in particular with a handpiece 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 will now be described with reference more particularly to FIGS. 4 to 6.

The reservoir 23 can be produced either with a rigid body and a follower piston or with a flexible pouch and extend along a longitudinal axis X_(res).

The applicator member 15 is supplied with product by a dispensing end piece 53 which extends along the longitudinal axis X_(em) of the head 25.

The dispensing end piece 53 is preferably designed to deliver the product in one direction through at least one dispensing orifice 68 that is visible in FIGS. 7A and 7B, is closed at rest and can open under the pressure of the upstream product.

Preferably, the dispensing end piece 53 extends along a longitudinal axis X_(em).

In the example in question and as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, the longitudinal axes X_(res) and X_(em) of the reservoir 25 and of the dispensing end piece 53 are parallel to one another and offset with respect to one another by a distance c of for example between 24 and 32 mm.

The longitudinal axes X_(res) and X_(em) are preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the refill 20 and can extend in a plane M, illustrated in FIG. 5, which is parallel to the plane of the upper face of the support 83, defined by a peripheral rim 83 a.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the dispensing end piece 53 may comprise a number of dispensing orifices 68 disposed in line with one another so as to deliver the product along the applicator member 15.

This or these dispensing orifice(s) 68 may be slots that are elongate along an axis perpendicular, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, to the longitudinal axis X_(em) of the dispensing end piece 53. In a variant, and preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the orifices 68 are oriented along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispensing end piece 53. The centres of mass of the dispensing orifices 68 are preferably aligned along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis X_(em) of the dispensing end piece 53. The length p of each dispensing end piece 68 may range from 1 to 5 mm. The dispensing orifices 68 may have identical lengths and be distributed evenly along the dispensing end piece 53. The interval w between two consecutive dispensing orifices 68 is for example from 1 to 5 mm. Preferably, the dispensing end piece 53 is elastically deformable such that the internal volume can be increased in order to collect product coming from the reservoir 23 before it is dispensed, and the dispensing orifice(s) 68 is/are designed to only open following such an increase in volume. Thus, it is possible to spread out the dispensing of product over a period of time greater than that for which the action of filling the dispensing end piece 53 lasts.

Prolonged dispensing of the product is useful in order to ensure application that is as homogeneous as possible right along the treated lock and to reduce the risk of product being present in a quantity that is not suitable.

Preferably, the system for supplying the applicator member is designed such that the dispensing of the product after the jaws 3 and 4 have been moved together lasts more than 10 s, in particular between 10 and 30 s, for example around 20 s, i.e. more or less the average duration of treatment of a lock for most users.

A particularly simple and effective way of obtaining prolonged dispensing of the product is to use an elastomeric material to produce the dispensing end piece 53, with a tubular shape closed at one end, and for example having a hardness of Shore 55, and to provide it, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, with a number of dispensing orifices 68 in the form of slots that are closed at rest and are capable of opening by elastic deformation under the pressure of the upstream product. The slots are preferably produced by cutting, so as to close with proper sealing at rest.

The dispensing end piece 53 comprises for example a tubular body with a wall thickness of between 0.3 and 2 mm, for example with an inside diameter of 3.2 mm and an outside diameter of 5 mm, and made of silicone or some other material such as EPDM (rubber).

Preferably, the applicator member 15 comes into contact with the dispensing end piece 53 next to the orifices 68 so as to absorb the product delivered thereby as soon as it exits.

The reservoir 23 may be single-use. In a variant, the refill 20 may comprise a valve (not illustrated) for filling the reservoir 23, making it possible to fill the reservoir 23 when the latter is empty or partially empty.

The dispensing end piece 53 is supplied with the aid of a flap-valve pump 103 carried by the refill 20. The handpiece 2 is produced so as to actuate this flap-valve pump 103 for example when the two arms 5 and 6 have been moved together or, in an alternative, with the aid of an actuating member which can be actuated by the user independently of the moving together of the arms.

The flap-valve pump 103 may comprise a diaphragm 105 which is positioned opposite an actuating member which is, for example, height-adjustable so as to be able to control the quantity of product delivered by the pump 103 on each actuation. The pumping chamber 114 may have (a) bellows, if appropriate.

The flap-valve pump 103 comprises a body which is made in one piece with end pieces 109 and 111 which serve to connect to the reservoir 23 and to the duct 65, respectively, making up the dispensing end piece 53.

The flap-valve pump 103 comprises a pumping chamber 114 partially delimited by the diaphragm 105.

The end piece 109 for connecting to the reservoir 23 may house an inlet valve (not shown) which opens when the volume of the pumping chamber 114 increases and which closes again when this volume decreases, during the actuation of the diaphragm 105. The pump 103 may also comprise an outlet valve which can be integrated into the pump 103, being for example located in the region of the end piece 93 for connecting to the duct 65.

In a variant, the outlet valve is formed by the dispensing orifice(s) 68 of the dispensing end piece 53, which open under the effect of the pressure of product upstream and close again when the pressure has decreased, by virtue of the inherent elasticity of the material of which the duct 65 is made.

The refill 20 may comprise a support 83 which receives at least the dispensing end piece 53, this support 83 making it possible to ensure the position of the dispensing end piece 53 relative to the reservoir 23 and to the flap-valve pump 103.

If appropriate, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the reservoir 23 can be fastened to the pump 103 with the presence of an O-ring seal 116 on the inlet end piece 109.

When the diaphragm 105 is deformed by bearing on the actuating relief 95 on the lower arm 6, the internal volume of the pumping chamber 114 decreases. The inlet valve is closed and the product is flushed towards the dispensing end piece 53. The outlet orifice(s) 68 may open under the effect of the pressure of the product and then close again when the pressure decreases following the discharging of the product.

When the actuating relief 95 moves away from the diaphragm 105, the latter returns to its initial shape by inherent elasticity, resulting in the increase in volume of the pumping chamber 114, which returns to its initial volume. The corresponding reduction in pressure causes the inlet valve to open and product coming from the reservoir 23 to be admitted.

The flap 18 may be articulated about a longitudinal axis Y which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis X₁ of the upper arm 5 or, in a variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, about an axis Y which is transverse to the longitudinal axis X₁ of the upper arm 5 and for example an axis which is parallel to, better still coincident with, the articulation pin of the lower arm 6 and upper arm 5. It may be advantageous for the articulation of the pivoting flap to be the same as that of the arms, since this can make it easier to manufacture the handpiece 2.

However, it is preferable to produce the flap 18 such that it is articulated about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X₁ of the arm 5, since this can reduce the span length and thus reduce the need to stiffen the flap 18.

The flap 18 may be articulated about a fixed rotation axis or, in a variant, the movement of the articulation may be more complex and in particular may take place by virtue of a hinge 28 that allows not only a purely rotational movement but also a movement in translation so as to ensure for example the parallelism of the surfaces which come into contact of the flap 18 and of the base of the arm 5 which carries the latter. In that case, the hinge 28 has for example bearings with somewhat oblong holes, in which the articulation pin can move, optionally with the presence of an elastic return member which tends to urge this pin into abutment against one end of the oblong housings.

A window may be provided, if appropriate, so as to allow the user to see the degree of emptying of the reservoir 23. In a variant, each action of moving the jaws 3 and 4 together increments a counter which is initialized on the installation of a new refill 20, this counter being able to be used to warn the user that complete emptying of the reservoir 23 is imminent. The counter may also be used to signal to the user that the product is ready to be dispensed, when a particular number of actuations of the jaws 3 and 4 is necessary before the product impregnates the applicator member 15, given the dead volume which it is necessary to start filling before the product is dispensed. When the moving together of the jaws 3 and 4 is detected electrically, counting can be effected electronically by the base station.

In a further variant, the system for supplying the applicator member 15 with product is driven in a motorized manner by virtue of an electric motor housed in the arm 5, or possibly in the assembly that forms a refill 20.

If appropriate, the refill 20 may comprise an identifier recognized by the device, this allowing at least one of the following additional functions:

-   -   automated adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the         device depending on the knowledge of the nature of the product         by the base station, which follows from the recognition of the         identifier,     -   display of information that guides the user in operations to be         carried out depending on the nature of the product contained in         the refill 20,     -   knowledge of the capacity of the reservoir 23 fitted and the         output of a signal warning the user when the product has been         used up, assuming that the device knows the number of doses         dispensed, for example by counting the number of times that the         jaws 3 and 4 have been moved together,     -   passage into a predefined state of the device if the presence of         the reservoir 23 is not detected, for example output of a         warning signal, and     -   preventing operation in the event of non-recognition of an         identifier having an authentication function.

The refill 20 can be identified mechanically and/or electronically. In the latter case, the refill 20 may carry an electronic chip in which the useful information is contained and one of the arms 5 or 6 may carry corresponding reading means.

In the examples illustrated, the heat treatment is ensured by two heating elements 120 and 122, visible in FIG. 10, that are carried by the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6, respectively, each having a plate that defines a hot surface 125 for bringing into contact with the hair.

The plates of the heating elements 120 and 122 are made of any material suitable for the treatment to be carried out, for example a metal, ceramic or glass.

The surface state of the plates of the heating elements 120 and 122, in the region of contact with the hair, depends on the desired treatment, and preferably the plates are smooth when the device is intended to straighten the hair.

The length of the plates defines the extent of the treatment region perpendicularly to the direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 relative to the hair. The hot surfaces 125 defined by the plates are for example flat and have a rectangular contour.

One of the plates is for example mounted in a fixed manner on the corresponding arm while the other is mounted in an articulated manner, for example with the aid of a ball joint, so as to allow the plates to extend parallel to one another and to a median treatment plane in the closed configuration of the jaws. If appropriate, at least one of the plates is disposed on one of the arms 5 and 6, being supported by a structure that forms a spring.

The heating elements 120 and 122 may each comprise an electrical resistor electrically powered by the base station, preferably with temperature regulation by virtue of one or more sensors disposed in the vicinity of the heating resistors or in contact with the plates.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, treatment with steam is ensured by virtue of a vaporization member consisting of a resistive element provided in an evaporation chamber supplied with water by the base station. The latter may comprise an electrically driven pump, preferably a peristaltic pump, that draws up water to be sent to the handpiece 2 from a reservoir of water. The pump is for example as disclosed in the publication FR 2 967 018.

The evaporation chamber may be produced in accordance with the teaching in the application EP 2449909A1 or otherwise, and communicate with at least one steam outlet.

The evaporation chamber is disposed on one of the arms, namely the lower arm 6 in the example in question, and the steam outlet is provided on the same arm 6.

In the example illustrated, the steam outlet is in the form of a ramp 128 with a shape that is elongate in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X₂ of the lower arm 6.

The ramp 128 may have a number of orifices for spraying steam, for example between 6 and 10 orifices, which are preferably distributed evenly along the ramp 128 and each have an axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the median treatment plane.

The vaporization member is electrically powered by the base station and a temperature sensor is advantageously disposed in the evaporation chamber. The base station may be produced so as to control the electric power supply of the vaporization member in order to keep the temperature of the steam leaving the evaporation chamber at a value of between 110° C. and 130° C.

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the applicator member 15 is disposed opposite a counter-bearing surface 130 defined by a block carried by the lower arm 6. This counter-bearing surface 130 is preferably substantially in the form of a half cylinder of revolution, with a generatrix parallel to the longitudinal axis X₂ of the lower arm 6. In a variant, the counter-bearing surface 130 may be a roller.

The counter-bearing surface 130 may help to channel the steam exiting the ramp 128 towards the hair.

When the jaws 3 and 4 are closed, the counter-bearing surface 130 comes into abutment against the applicator member 15 and preferably, the counter-bearing surface 130 slightly compresses the applicator member 15, for example over a distance k of between 1 and 5 mm.

The radius of curvature r of the counter-bearing surface 130, measured about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm, is for example between 2 and 10 mm.

The counter-bearing surface 130 may be able to move relative to the jaw 4 which carries it, and its movement may be controlled by a regulating member, for example the one that regulates the quantity of product dispensed while the arms 5 and 6 are moved together. Preferably, this regulating member acts on the height of the counter-bearing surface 130. When the regulating member is in a position not actuating the pump, the counter-bearing surface can reach its maximum height and thus be in a position of maximum compression of the applicator member 15. This configuration can make it possible to wipe the applicator member after use.

The counter-bearing surface 130 may also be defined by a member designed to define a protective cap for the applicator member 15 when not in use. This member can thus cover the applicator member 15 partially, and preferably entirely, in order to promote the preservation of the product still impregnating the applicator member 15.

The handpiece 2 may comprise a comb (not shown) which is preferably fastened removably to the lower arm 6. This comb is produced for example from a rigid thermoplastic material and has a shape that is elongate along the longitudinal axis X₂ of the lower arm 6.

The presence of the comb is advantageous in that it divides the lock into bundles, this tending to increase the contact surface of the hair with the hot surfaces 125 and to improve the straightening action. In addition, by dividing the lock, the surface area for exchange with the steam and the cosmetic product is also increased, to the benefit of the effectiveness of the treatment. The comb can also help to increase the traction exerted on the hair, and this can improve the shaping thereof, in particular in the case of straightening. The comb can also help to homogenize the product deposited upstream on the hair by the applicator member 15.

Preferably, the device is produced such that a portion of hair introduced between the jaws 3 and 4, and moving relative thereto when the handpiece 2 is drawn from the root of the hair to the end thereof in the direction D, is successively subjected to exposure to the cosmetic product, by passing between the applicator member 15 and the counter-bearing surface 130, to the steam by passing in line with the ramp 128 for spraying steam, and to a heat treatment by passing between the hot surfaces 125.

The handpiece 2 may advantageously have on its top a marker, visible to the user, such as an arrow, informing said user of the correct direction of movement of the device.

The steam treatment can improve the penetration of the product deposited upstream on the hair. The heat treatment makes it possible to dry the hair and to fix its shape.

Numerous modifications can be made to the device that has just been described, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In a variant that is not illustrated, the heating elements 120 and 122 and the associated hot surfaces 125 are absent, the device being designed to only effect the application of the cosmetic product and the exposure to the steam, for example in the context of haircare or a dyeing treatment.

There may be multiple heating elements 120 and 122 on each of the arms 5 and 6, this being able to allow the handpiece 2 to be used in any direction of movement on the hair, if appropriate. The device may also retain a preferred direction of movement D during the treatment, even when there are multiple heating elements 120 and 122 on each of the arms 5 or 6.

The heating elements 120 and 122 carried by one and the same arm 5 or 6 may comprise plates with an identical width and operate simultaneously.

In order to obtain a symmetrical treatment regardless of the direction of movement, the device may comprise two steam outlets on either side of the member 15 for applying cosmetic product and between the hot surfaces 120 and 122.

If there are multiple heating elements 120 and 122 on each of the arms 5 and 6, the member 15 for applying cosmetic product may be disposed away from the heating elements 120 and 122, only one steam outlet being present between the plates.

The movement over the hair is preferably carried out so as to ensure that the cosmetic product is deposited first.

In a variant that is not illustrated, at least one of the heating elements 120 and 122 is produced so as to be able to rotate in contact with the hair when the handpiece 2 is moved along the lock to be treated, and is in the form for example of a rotary cylinder. The other heating element 120 and 122 may have a concave curved shape, suitable for accommodating the roller when the jaws 3 and 4 are moved together.

The steam spraying direction may be non-perpendicular to the median treatment plane, in order to increase the area impacted by the jet of steam, with an inclination of 0 to 20° with respect to the normal, for example. The jet exiting each outlet orifice of the ramp (also known as a nozzle) may be sufficiently divergent to result in substantially uniform exposure of the lock in the direction of its width.

The device according to the invention is preferably used with a base station; in a variant, the handpiece 2 is autonomous, comprising the reserve of water necessary for producing steam.

The cosmetic product applied by the device according to the invention may be any type of haircare product. The expression cosmetic haircare product denotes a composition comprising one or more active ingredients for haircare use, and in particular a product as defined in directive 93/35/EEC dated 14 Jun. 1993. Water in liquid or gaseous form which does not contain any additives for haircare use does not constitute a cosmetic product within the meaning of the present invention. The cosmetic product may be intended to make it easier to shape the hair. Examples of active ingredients are given for example in the publication US 2010/0307528 A1, in paragraphs [0031] and [0032]. The product may have an aqueous or non-aqueous base.

In the examples which have just been described, the cosmetic product is not heated other than by heat losses due to the presence of the heating elements 120 and 122 and the spraying of steam between the jaws 3 and 4. In one variant, the cosmetic product is heated by a specific heating means so as to raise the temperature thereof prior to application, for example a heating resistor printed onto a sleeve through which the product passes or which is disposed on the reservoir or in contact therewith. This increase in temperature may have the effect of decreasing its viscosity and making it easier to apply.

The applicator member 15 may be produced in some other way than with a foam, for example with a felt, a frit or a brush.

The refill 20 may comprise at least one closure member that can be positioned in a removable manner on the applicator head 25, in particular on the applicator member 15, in order to protect the latter from the outside environment when not in use for applying the product. The closure member may be able to be applied to the refill 20 when the latter is or is not on the handpiece 2. When the refill 20 is positioned in the housing 33 of the handpiece 2, the closure member may cover the applicator member 15. The closure member may be separable from the device or, in a variant, be an element that is permanently present on the device. The member defining the counter-bearing surface 130 may be removable and serve, in particular when turned round, as a member for closing the refill 20.

On account of the longitudinal configuration of the refill 20, the dispensing of the product through the evenly distributed dispensing orifices 68 of constant size is not uniform. The dispensing orifices in the vicinity of the reservoir are subjected to a greater pressure than those located at the end and, as a result, open more and dispense more product towards the applicator member 15. The following variants make it possible to make the dispensing of the product towards the applicator member 15 along the dispensing end piece 53 more uniform.

The dispensing orifices 68 of the dispensing end piece 53 are, in a variant as illustrated in FIG. 11, spaced apart at a variable distance w, the density of dispensing orifices 68 then varying with their position on the dispensing end piece 53. Preferably, the density of dispensing orifices 68 increases with increasing distance from the reservoir 23 so as to allow product to be dispensed uniformly in the direction of the applicator member 15.

The dispensing orifices 68 of the dispensing end piece 53 have, in a variant as illustrated in FIG. 12, a variable width p depending on their position on the dispensing end piece 53. Preferably, the width p of the dispensing orifices increases with increasing distance from the reservoir 23 so as to allow product to be dispensed uniformly in the direction of the applicator member 15.

The counter-bearing surface 130 is, in a variant, inclined obliquely with respect to the applicator member 15 so as to exert a variable pressure on the applicator member 15. Preferably, the pressure exerted on the applicator member 15 by the counter-bearing surface 130 increases with increasing distance from the reservoir 23 so as to allow product to be dispensed uniformly onto the lock of hair introduced between the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6.

The device can be used by moving the jaws 3 and 4 along a lock in order to straighten the hair. The device can also be used by winding the lock around a jaw 3 or 4 and unwinding it by sliding it over this jaw 3 or 4 in order to curl the hair.

The device can be used in the hot state without steam production or without the heating elements 120 or 122 being activated.

In one variant, the steam outlet and the applicator member 15 occupy substantially the same position relative to the direction of movement D of the device over the lock of hair. In this case, the steam outlet orifice(s) is/are formed for example through a counter-bearing surface against which the applicator member 15 bears when the jaws 3 and 4 are closed.

In the examples illustrated, the generation of steam takes place on the lower arm 6 and the application of product on the upper arm 5. This arrangement can be reversed.

It is possible for the dispensing end piece 53 not to be elastically deformable and the product may be dispensed only during the moving-together movement of the jaws 3 and 4. An elastically deformable chamber for collecting the product may also be interposed in the path of the product between the duct 65 against which the pressing element 95 and the dispensing end piece 53 bear, this chamber being formed for example by a portion of elastically deformable tube or by a diaphragm that is elastically deformable or able to move without inherent elasticity but comes into abutment against an elastic return member which deforms in order to accompany the increase in volume and which generates the pressure necessary to continue dispensing the product once the jaws 3 and 4 have been moved together.

The housing in the device that receives the refill may comprise at least one light source.

This source may allow the user to see that the refill is present while the device is in operation.

When the refill is made at least partially of a material that makes it possible to see the cosmetic product contained in the interior thereof, the light source can make it easier for the user to determine the level of cosmetic product remaining in the refill.

Thus, it may prove to be advantageous to produce the refill with at least a portion of the reservoir made of a transparent or translucent material, and to dispose the light source so as to light the reservoir.

Preferably, the flap has a window which makes it possible to see at least a lit part of the reservoir, such that the user can know the level of product remaining while the flap is in the closed position. If appropriate, the colour of the light source can change depending on certain parameters, for example in order to signal that the treatment temperature has been reached or that the level of product or of water is low.

The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, and the limits are included in all the ranges of values indicated. 

1.-22. (canceled)
 23. Refill for an appliance for treating the hair, comprising: a reservoir containing a haircare product, a dispensing end piece for dispensing the product contained in the reservoir, at least one component of a flap-valve pump that supplies the dispensing end piece with product contained in the reservoir.
 24. Refill according to claim 23, which extends along a longitudinal axis, said at least one component being located along said longitudinal axis between the reservoir and the dispensing end piece.
 25. Refill according to claim 23, wherein the reservoir extends along a longitudinal axis and the length of the reservoir, measured along the longitudinal axis, is less than or equal to the total length of the refill measured along the same axis.
 26. Refill according to claim 23, wherein the dispensing end piece and the reservoir have respective longitudinal axes that are not coincident.
 27. Refill according to claim 23, wherein the dispensing end piece and the reservoir have respective longitudinal axes that are parallel.
 28. Refill according to claim 23, wherein the capacity of the reservoir is between 2 ml and 20 ml.
 29. Refill according to claim 23, wherein the volume of the haircare product delivered on each actuation of the flap-valve pump is between 0.01 ml and 0.5 ml.
 30. Refill according to claim 23, wherein the flap-valve pump has a pumping chamber and an elastically deformable diaphragm at least partially delimiting the pumping chamber.
 31. Refill according to claim 30, wherein the flap-valve pump is of the airless type.
 32. Refill according to claim 30, having an inlet valve disposed upstream of the pumping chamber, the inlet valve opening in the direction of flow from the reservoir to the pumping chamber.
 33. Refill according to claim 30, having an outlet valve disposed downstream of the pumping chamber, the outlet valve opening in the direction of flow from the pumping chamber to the dispensing end piece.
 34. Refill according to claim 23, wherein the dispensing end piece has at least one dispensing orifice which is made through a wall.
 35. Refill according to claim 34, the at least one dispensing orifice is closed at rest and can open under the pressure exerted by the haircare product, the wall being deformable.
 36. Refill according to claim 35, the wall being defined by a flexible duct.
 37. Refill according to claim 34, wherein the dispensing orifice is formed by at least one slot having edges that are joined at rest.
 38. Refill according to claim 33, wherein the dispensing orifice forms the outlet valve.
 39. Refill according to claim 32, wherein the flap-valve pump is formed by a single part including the pumping chamber and at least one of the inlet and outlet valves.
 40. Refill according to claim 23, wherein the dispensing end piece is pre-filled with the haircare product.
 41. Refill according to claim 23, comprising an applicator member that is supplied with product by the dispensing end piece.
 42. Refill according to claim 41, the applicator member at least partially covering the dispensing end piece.
 43. Refill according to claim 41, the applicator member comprising a porous material and/or a material that is able to release or diffuse the cosmetic product.
 44. Refill according to claim 23, comprising a support carrying the dispensing end piece and/or the flap-valve pump and/or the reservoir.
 45. Refill according to claim 23, comprising a member for closing the refill when not in use.
 46. Device for treating the hair, comprising: at least two arms that are able to move relative to one another between a moved-together configuration for treating the hair and a spaced-apart configuration for inserting hair to be treated between said arms, a refill according to claim 23, the refill being carried by at least one of the arms.
 47. Device according to claim 46, wherein the moving together of the arms actuates the flap-valve pump.
 48. Device according to claim 46, wherein the arm opposite the one that carries the refill has a relief which, in the moved-together configuration of the arms, actuates the flap-valve pump, said relief projecting to a degree that is adjustable by the user depending on the dose to be dispensed.
 49. Device according to claim 46, which is a straightener, each of the two arms comprising a heating element, the heating elements each comprising a plate that defines a hot surface for bringing into contact with the hair. 